As one door closes for Tamworth young guns Mitch Watts and Harry Snook, a potentially even more exciting one is just opening, although it will probably mean flying the Magpies' coop.
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The future is stretching brightly out in front of the recently-graduated duo; one that will likely take them to Sydney as they look to pursue uni and rugby opportunities down there.
Before that, on Sunday they will have the chance to showcase their talents alongside the most promising young players in the state after being selected to play for the under-18s Gen Blue NSW juniors against the Gen Blue Schools XV.
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"It will be an awesome opportunity to go down there and compete against probably the best boys in the state," Watts said.
With the pandemic limiting representative opportunities this year, both are keen to put their "best foot forward" as Snook put it, and hopefully open up some doors for next year.
"It's been a bit of a year where it's been a bit of an unknown so when these opportunities come you've just got to take them with two hands and see what happens," Watts said.
Snook, who last year made the NSW Waratahs under-17 sevens squad, did get a bit of a taste of the Sydney competition this year playing a couple of games with the Gordon colts, and is keen to have another crack.
"The footy I played in Sydney this year was really really good, just a sort of taster I guess for what hopefully is to come and the expectations and levels you need to be at to be able to compete well against the players that are down there," he said.
He is tossing up his options but where he does go to uni will probably play a role in where he ends up.
The same for Watts.
He can't wait to get down there and experience it all.
"The quality of footy down there and the quality of boys and quality of the culture, really sets the tone for the rest of the state footy," he said.
"It will be an awesome experience to go down there and give it a go."
Both are coming off impressive seasons with the Magpies.
Watts was named the player of most potential for the whole zone, making it a Magpies' double after Snook won the award last year.
"It was an awesome experience playing first grade," he reflected.
"It's really put me in good stead for this sort of footy down in Sydney, where you're versing bigger bodies, and versing faster stronger men and they're getting back up as soon as you hit them."
Snook expressed similar sentiments.
"Magpies have been wonderful. They've sort of nurtured me and led me into grade footy which I think has really developed my game in the last two years," he said.
"They've been massively influential in getting me to where I am today."
The Armidale School's Ed Bell will also line up for the NSW team on Sunday.
